NEW YORK (VINnews) — New York City officials on Thursday proposed a first-in-the-nation rule aimed at making it easier for consumers to cancel subscriptions and avoid deceptive billing practices.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine said the “click to cancel” measure would require businesses to provide cancellation processes that are as simple as signing up.

The proposal follows an executive order targeting so-called subscription traps and would apply to automatically renewing services and continuous service offers. Officials said companies that violate the rule could face fines starting at $525 and be required to compensate affected consumers.

Under the plan, businesses would also need to provide clear disclosures and straightforward cancellation options, addressing complaints that some companies use confusing or lengthy processes to prevent customers from ending subscriptions.

The proposed rule was published Wednesday and will be open for public comment for 30 days before it can be finalized. If adopted, officials said New York City would become the first municipality in the country to implement such protections.